Woman faces $500 fine over free apple from Delta flight

ARVADA, Colo. -- A Colorado woman said she's facing a $500 fine from U.S. Customs and Border Protection after she stashed a free apple during her flight home from Paris, according to KDVR.

Crystal Tadlock said that flight attendants were passing out apples in plastic bags, and she took one. She wasn't hungry at the time so she threw the snack in her bag and planned to eat it during the second leg of her trip back to Denver.

Tadlock said when she went through customs, her bag was randomly searched.

She said the customs agent pulled out the apple in the plastic bag with Delta's logo on it.

Tadlock said she had just received the snack from the airline and asked if she could throw it out or eat it. She said the agent told her no, and handed her a $500 fine instead.

"He had asked me if my trip to France was expensive and I said, 'Yeah.' I didn’t really get why he was asking that question, and then he said 'It’s about to get a lot more expensive after I charge you $500,'" Tadlock said.

Tadlock said she's frustrated that an innocent mistake could amount to a large fine and the loss of her Global Entry Status.

Tadlock said Delta shouldn't have passed out apples to customers or at least reminded passengers not to take the fruit off the plane.

She also said she's frustrated that customs would ticket her when the agent clearly saw the snack came from an airline.

"It’s really unfortunate someone has to go through that and be treated like a criminal over a piece of fruit," Tadlock said.

"Privacy policy prohibits CBP from discussing the details of any individuals specific inspection, however all agriculture items must be declared," U.S. Customs and Border Protection said in a statement.

Tadlock can pay the $500 or fight the charge in court. She said she plans to fight the ticket in front of a judge.